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STANFORD, Calif. - The Stanford women's gymnastics team had big expectations this season after coming off one of its best performances in program history at the 2012 NCAA Championships, finishing fourth and just 0.35 points behind first place.

Those expectations continued to grow with strong individual and team performances throughout the 2013 season.

When the Cardinal arrived at the NCAA Norman Regional - the competition head coach Kristen Smyth describes as "the toughest meet of the year" - the team was focused on one main objective: to get back to the NCAA Championships.

Led by individual regional titles from Ivana Hong on vault and beam, Ashley Morgan on floor and tying a season-best team performance on vault in the final rotation, Stanford accomplished its goal and qualified for its sixth NCAA Championships in the past seven seasons.

"Considering the adversity we faced this season, it was a big accomplishment that this team made it to nationals again this year," Smyth said.

Stanford finished sixth in the NCAA Semifinals and senior Nicole Dayton earned her first All-America honor. She was named to the first team after tying for third on vault with a 9.900. Freshman Taylor Rice also earned the first All-America honor of her collegiate career as she was named to the second team on floor.

Though the Cardinal did not meet its ultimate goal of qualifying to the NCAA Super Six, the future looks bright for a team that returns 13 gymnasts, including 10 underclassmen.

Smyth believes her team will benefit from the younger gymnasts gaining valuable experience competing in high-pressure situations.

"We struggled with consistency as young teams often do, but what I appreciated most about this group is they never stopped learning, growing and trying to improve, " Smyth said. "I'm confident the foundation we laid for next season is strong and that we will be back challenging for top honors."

Along with a strong young core, Stanford expects the return of key players that were sidelined by injury. Olympian Becky Wing will be back and lead the team on bars and beam. Freshman Melissa Chuang and sophomore Pauline Hanset, known for their power and explosiveness on vault and floor, will also be major contributors next season.

Improved health and experience will be crucial for the Cardinal, which graduates two elite competitors in Ashley Morgan and Nicole Dayton.

Morgan claimed her third consecutive Pac-12 floor title and first NCAA regional floor title. She was a staple in the all-around, competing in 47 of 48 possible events this season.

"Ashley was just a pillar of consistency and a leader by example," Smyth said when reflecting on Morgan's impact over the past four years. "Her ability to compete in the all-around every single weekend was incredible and her day in, day out effort in the gym was inspiring. She'll be missed."

Dayton had an outstanding season on vault, capped by a 14th-place finish at the NCAA Individual Event Finals. She claimed four individual victories on the season - doubling her win total from 2012. Dayton scored a 9.900 or higher seven times and recorded two of Stanford's top-three scores in the event this season.

"They put a lot into teaching the youngsters what college gymnastics is all about and I think it's going to pay off in the future," Smyth said of her senior co-captains. "They have so much to be proud of and leave behind big shoes to fill."

Smyth said roles for next year are still undetermined but looks forward to the strong leadership the rising senior class of Amanda Spinner, Shona Morgan and Lucy Meyer will provide.

Strong leadership will be important as the team welcomes six freshmen. Smyth is excited about the incoming class and believes they have the potential to make an immediate impact in their first season.

Smyth said she is happy with her team's work ethic in postseason training and the goals discussed with returning gymnasts during individual meetings, and believes her team will continue to improve as it heads into the summer break.

"I'm really encouraged about next year and welcoming six talented freshmen," Smyth said. "In addition, the returners are extremely motivated to not only get back to nationals, but to challenge for another Super Six."

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The following is a rundown on honors accumulated by the team and individuals from the 2013 season:

Alex Archer2013 Stanford Most Improved awardEarned a career best of 9.875 on bars at the NCAA SemifinalsSet a career high of 9.775 on vault at the NCAA Norman Regional

Melissa ChuangRecorded season-bests of 9.850 on vault and 9.825 on floor.Scored a 9.800 on vault at the NCAA Semifinals

Nicole DaytonTeam co-captainFirst team All-America on vaultFinished tied for 14th on vault at the NCAA Individual Event FinalsAll-Pac-12 second team on vaultClaimed four vault victories on the season - double her amount from 2012 (two)Had seven 9.900 scores or higher on vaultClaimed two of the top three scores for Stanford on vaultPac-12 All-Academic honorable mention

Pauline HansetRecorded career-bests of 9.925 on vault, 9.900 on floor and 9.800 on beam in a tri-meet against Oregon State and CaliforniaPac-12 All-Academic honorable mention

Ivana HongNCAA Norman Regional champion on beam and vaultAll-Pac-12 first team on beamClaimed four victories on beam, two on vault and one on barsFinished second in the all-around at the Pac-12 Championships with a career-best 39.575

Ashley MorganTeam co-captainNCAA Norman Regional floor championPac-12 floor champion (third consecutive)All-Pac-12 first team in the all-around2013 Stanford MVP awardClaimed victories in the all-around (five), floor (four), vault (one) and bars (one)Competed in 47 of 48 possible eventsEarned a career-best 39.550 in the all-around against Arizona State (Feb. 15)Either tied or set new career-bests in every eventClaimed four of the top six scores for Stanford on floorPac-12 All-Academic honorable mention

Shona MorganPac-12 All-Academic first team2013 Stanford Academic awardTied her career-best of 9.925 on floor twiceHit 94 percent of her routinesScored a 9.800 or higher in 26 of 35 events

Taylor RiceSecond team All-America on floorTied her career-best of 9.875 on floor and earned a career-high 9.850 on beam at the NCAA SemifinalsScored a career-best 9.900 on vault twice, including at the NCAA Norman RegionalRecorded four scores of 9.875 on floor

Samantha ShapiroPac-12 All-Academic honorable mentionEarned her career best on bars (9.950) against California (Jan. 26)Tied her career-best on floor (9.875) at the NCAA Norman Regional

Amanda SpinnerTeam co-captainPac-12 champion on beamNamed the inaugural Pac-12 Specialist of the YearAll-Pac-12 first team on beam2013 Stanford Gymnast of the Year awardHit 100 percent of her routines and scored a 9.800 or higher in 11 of 12 meets on beamEarned a career-best 9.950 on beam at Utah (Feb. 23)Claimed four of the top six scores for Stanford on beam